‘No Wonder Germany Is Doing So Poorly’: Trump Orders Withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. Troops as Feud with Chancellor Merz Intensifies

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Washington and Berlin, the Pentagon has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, a spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital. The redeployment comes amid President Donald Trump’s escalating feud with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, following sharp disagreements over the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Currently, about 38,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Germany, home to the U.S. European Command headquarters at Ramstein Air Base—a critical hub for military operations across Europe and the Middle East. “The Secretary of War has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital, adding that the decision followed a thorough review of force posture in Europe. The withdrawal is expected to be completed over the next six to twelve months. The move echoes Trump’s 2020 attempt to pull roughly 12,000 troops from Germany, a plan that faced bipartisan resistance in Congress and was never finalized under the Biden administration.

The troop reduction comes just days after Chancellor Merz publicly criticized Washington’s approach to Iran, stating that the U.S. was being “humiliated by the Iranian leadership” and expressing hope for a swift end to the conflict. Trump fired back swiftly on Truth Social, accusing Merz of not knowing what he is talking about regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage.” Trump added a sharp jab at Germany’s economic standing: “No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise!” The exchange marks the latest flash point between the two leaders, who have previously clashed over tariffs and defense spending. As European leaders watch nervously, the withdrawal signals a potential reshaping of U.S. military commitments on the continent—and a deepening transatlantic rift that shows no signs of healing.